3 More Sleeps!

I'm so excited to go home for the holidays that I am having trouble focusing on anything for a long period of time, I am listening to Christmas music ALL THE TIME, I was awake at 6 am on a Saturday, and it's hard to stay still.

Now if only my bags would pack themselves.

See you at 1:55 pm Eastern Time Canada on Wednesday the 19th! (That's at Pearson Airport in Toronto in case anyone has nothing to do and would be interested in greeting me upon arrival). I love a good reunion at an airport! :)

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Well sort of, yes it's Winter Wonderland, but no sleigh bells were ringing and no snow was glistening.

Last night, December 15th, I experienced Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. Who shared that experience with me you ask? Kelly, 2 Matts, Marzena, and Dayna. So, that's 3 Aussie's, a Polish, and 2 Canadians in total. (I just like sharing the cultural diversity of the group).

At Winter Wonderland, they have lots of booths with food, crafts, gifts, drinks, sweets and candies, and chocolate. There are also carnival games and rides. My first tasty experience? A Bacon Pork bap with bacon, pork, stuffing, apple something, and gravy all inside one bun. It was delicious! I'm not crazy about stuffing but it added a nice touch. Next stop: Mulled Cider. Imagine hot apple cider with alcohol. :)

The boys then tried their luck at the archery ring (they weren't lucky though, no prizes were won for Kelly or Dayna). After that, a ride on the ferris wheel where we could see a night time view of Winter Wonderland and Central London.

The beautiful ferris wheel (and just a sample of the large number of people also at Winter Wonderland)

A selfie with night time Central London skyline in the background 

Winter Wonderland from above

To top off the night, I purchased a large bag of fresh Haribo candy (none of which is left less than 24 hours later) and we watched ice skaters from the sidelines, laughing as they wiped out but knowing most of us wouldn't be any better if we were on the ice.

Thank you Winter Wonderland!

Missing Working in Retail

One of the best parts of working at Coles was the excitement of the Christmas season and the hustle and bustle of the Pen Centre and the store from the end of October until Christmas time. I loved it! Decorations in the store and out in the mall corridors, the Christmas colours, and the mixture of Christmas shoppers from young to old, grouchy to hyper excited.

So, because I was missing this environment I decided to spend my Friday night this weekend at one of the best shopping centres the city of London has to offer. Westfield's at Shephard's Bush. I think it's a magical place anytime of the year, and even though I found it overwhelming the first time I went in because of all the different stores and the size of the place, it's has become one of my favourite places in London.

Here's a beautiful tree outside one of the entrances.

Inside they even have an ice skating rink for the holiday season, so I stood for a few minutes and watched the skaters and marvelled at the lights and decorations around.

The other awesome thing about Westfield's this Christmas? It was Taylor Swift who did a performance and switched on the lights at the mall's opening celebration of the holiday season.

10 More Sleeps!

I know, I know, don't wish your days away. But I can't help but be excited and glad that after 10 more sleeps I'll be on my journey home to Canada for the holidays!!!!!

No one really tells you how hard it can be to be far away from home, and no one really prepares you for what you might feel emotionally on an adventure abroad. So let me be the first to say, it's hard. It's BEEN hard. The phrase "You don't know what you've got until it's gone" is a phrase I have a much greater understanding of because of my current experience.
I have an amazing family. My parents are supportive and generous, fun to be around, and 2 of my absolute favourite people. My brother and I have this teasing-joking sibling relationship that I wouldn't trade for anything. There's times where the teasing has gotten to me and I've wanted my space (and silence) away from him, but now that I've actually been away from it for a few months, there is no one else who will ever tease me the same way or have the same sense of humour. I can't wait to spend 2 and a half weeks having adventures with my family. I'm so glad that I asked for quality time this year for Christmas. That's something that you can't have on an adventure abroad, quality time with your family. But gifts and things can be bought anywhere, so this year those things just aren't special enough.
I even miss the simplicity of life in a small town. That's something I NEVER thought I would say. I miss riding in a car. I miss road trips. I miss just running errands in a car. I have a much greater appreciation for a simpler lifestyle even after spending just a few months living in one of the biggest cities in the world. Yes, London is exciting. Yes, London always has thing to do. But, there's nothing like spending a night in at a friend's house watching movies and laughing until your stomach hurts. And a night like that just is more appealing in a smaller city and town.
So Canada, I've decided I won't be away forever. I'm not even sure exactly how long I'll be away. But I will come home to you, because I appreciate you as a place to live much more know that I've been away.

In true Katie style, here's a song that expresses my feelings about home. Take it away Miley Cyrus...

You wake up, it's raining and it's MondayLooks like one of those rough daysTime's up, you're late again so get out the door
Sometimes you feel like runningFind a whole new life and jump inLet go, get up and hit the dance floor
But when the lights go down it's the ending of the showAnd you're feeling like you got nowhere to goDon't you know?
You can change your hair and you can change your clothesYou can change your mind, that's just the way it goesYou can say goodbye and you can say helloBut you'll always find your way back home
You can change your style, you can change your jeansYou can learn to fly and you can chase your dreamsYou can laugh and cry but everybody knowsYou'll always find your way back home
Your best friends, your little hometownAre waiting up wherever you go nowYou know that you can always turn around
'Cause this world is big and it's crazyAnd this girl is thinking that maybeThis life is what some people dream about
'Cause when I'm feeling down and I am all aloneI've always got a place where I can go'Cause I know
You can change your hair and you can change your clothesYou can change your mind, that's just the way it goesYou can say goodbye and you can say helloBut you'll always find your way back home
You can change your style, you can change your jeansYou can learn to fly and you can chase your dreamsYou can laugh and cry but everybody knowsYou'll always find your way back home
Where they know exactly who you are?Where the real you is the superstarYou know it's never too far away
You can change your hair and you can change your clothesYou can change your mind, that's just the way it goesYou can say goodbye and you can say helloBut you'll always find your way back
You can change your hair and you can change your clothesYou can change your mind, that's just the way it goesYou can say goodbye and you can say helloBut you'll always find your way back home
You can change your style and you can change your jeansYou can learn to fly and you can chase your dreamsYou can laugh and cry but everybody knowsYou'll always find your way back home
You'll always find your way back homeYou'll always find your way back homeYou'll always find your way back home

106 Finchley Christmas

On December 8th, we celebrated Christmas at 106 Finchley Road. The evening consisted of great food, friends, Secret Santa presents, and holiday music (including several versions of Little Drummer Boy, one of my favourite Christmas carols).

On the menu was:

Stuffed Turkey Breasts with Goat Cheese & Cranberries (courtesy of Chef Kelly)
Mashed Potatoes with Pepper (Courtesy of Chef Jenn & Chef Jason)
Mashed Potatoes with Pistachios and Mustard...? (Courtesy of Chef Matt)
Sauteed Green Beans (Courtesy of Chef Georgie)
Chocolate Chip Cookies (Courtesy of myself & Betty Crocker)
Fresh Bread and assorted Chocolate Biscuits (Courtesy of Chef Sam)

Thanks to Matt & Dayna for also attending our festivities and joining us for a drink!

For someone who is very particular about how things happen at Christmas time (as everyone learned yesterday) I think we had a great Christmas party and it was a memory that I will cherish.

Here are some pictures!

My Chocolate Chip Cookies!

The table is set for Christmas dinner.

The gift table

Samantha, Jason, Georgie, and me!

Me & Georgie (one of my favourite Aussies!)

Jenn about to open her Secret Santa gift (from me)

About to open my present!

Michael McIntyre

This post is long overdue, but on Thursday November 29th, I went to see the comedian Michael McIntyre's arena tour show courtesy of Vision Teaching. I had never heard of him before, but I must say he was quite entertaining! The entire first half of the show I practically laughed at every word! (The second half, I'm sure, was equally as funny, but I fell asleep for most of it. I came down with the stomach flu that night!). This was my first time seeing a comedian perform at a large venue like Wembley Arena so it was quite a neat experience. A bit different than a Taylor Swift concert, but enjoyable! The venue does the large t.v screen thing so that viewers at the back can still see well. The entire audience is also equally as engaged I think. A great experience!

Here is a youtube clip of a comedy piece of his. This way you can get a sense of his humour for yourself! (Just click on his name to open the video in a new page)

Michael McIntyre